Less Than Jake / Punchline / Bigwig / Teen Idols: live in Des Moineslive in Des Moines (2003)Warner Music Group

Reviewer Rating: 5

Contributed by: EddieEddie(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on April 11th 2003This was my second Less Than Jake show, and I was really looking foward to it. I wasn't sure how it would stand up against their other show I saw, which was in St. Louis. Thankfully, it was nearly perfect by comparison.
The show took place at a little venue called Toad Holler, which, at first, s.

This was my second Less Than Jake show, and I was really looking foward to it. I wasn't sure how it would stand up against their other show I saw, which was in St. Louis. Thankfully, it was nearly perfect by comparison.

The show took place at a little venue called Toad Holler, which, at first, seems like a really crappy place for a punk show. But when the show got going it was great, considering how the stage was just barely off the floor. In St. Louis, it was a big stage. Also, the security wasn't so tight about moshing this time, so I was able to get as close as I wanted. And since this was Central Iowa, there weren't a whole lot of people attending in the first place.

The Teen Idols, the band on their previous tour I saw, opened up the show splendidly. They really kept the crowd's attention, and played a great set of melodic punk. I'll definitely be buying their new album. And once again, Roger from Less Than Jake rushed out on stage. And by the way, is it just me, or does the lead singer of the Teen Idols look a lot like Quentin Tarantino?

Next, Bigwig performed. I really enjoy their music, and I was looking foward to seeing them. They played some great hardcore, and "Sink or Swim" was my favorite song they played. I also loved their cover of the Cheers TV theme.

Third was a band I had little information on, Punchline. I thought they were good, even if some of the crowd didn't. They had a nice combo of pop-punk and hardcore influences (they reminded me of Finch). I think they were a little ambitious though, directly opening for Less Than Jake. I don't think some of the crowd took them all that seriously.

Next, came Less Than Jake. Once again they opened to the "Star Wars" theme, and blasted into an excellent variety of songs. Toilet paper and confetti flew everywhere, and some dude in his underwear and a mask was goofing off on stage (hadn't seen that before). The highlights of the evening were "Look What Happened" (which everyone sang along to), "All My Friends Are Metalheads," "She's Gonna Break Soon" (a single from their new album, Anthem), and "Gainesville Rock City," which they closed with. They didn't joke around as much with the crowd this time, besides mentioning the Good Charlotte twins and kidding about Avril Lavigne being on the whole Warped Tour this year, which caused a load of boos from the crowd.

While I was fairly excited this time around, I still sort of expected everything I saw. But I had a great time. Mostly because this show had better opening bands, and a much better venue. And Less Than Jake, as always, ruled. It's too bad that a brilliant band like Less Than Jake has to go from beloved headliners with screaming fans on their own tour to opening for New Found Glory and Good Charlotte in two days. I'm sure half of the crowd on that tour won't even know who Less Than Jake is.

Hey Buddy A Few Below who Lost His Bigwig Shirt,
I don't think people are "judging" LTJ based off of one song. But I think it is fair to say that when a good band with a great history of writing solid songs writes THE WORST FUCKING SONG OF THE YEAR, it is cause for concern.

it actually specifically says Avril is not playing, or it just doesn't say that she is playing?

and about that, i don't know why you all despise this girl so much. i mean, i'm not a fan of her music, but you all make her out to be the anti-christ or something. she's just a girl making music who's into punk rock, but doesn't play the style outright. there's really nothing wrong with that.

Anonymous (April 14, 2003)

God, I love how everyone is judging a band based off of one song...She's Gonna Break Soon doesn't blow me away, but for God's sake I know I've heard worse songs. But fuck it.
To anyone who picked up my Bigwig shirt that I dropped in the parking lot...Screw you I hope it was too small or shrinks on you, you thieving bastard.
Also, see Punchline live and before you judge them further. They were on the bill because they were a good live act. Definately better than the fucking Teen Idols, who are only on Fueled By Ramen out of sympathy (or the fact that Roger's fucking Heather)...

Anonymous (April 14, 2003)

punchline is freaking amazing. maybe that explains their place on this bill?

Sounds like a good show..but not as good as Kid Dynamite tonight...mahahahahahahahahahahah!!!

Anonymous (April 13, 2003)

I agree.

Anonymous (April 13, 2003)

There need to be more "bamnds" period.

Anonymous (April 13, 2003)

there needs to be more bamnds like NFG and Good Charlotte to help take down corporate rockers like Less Than Jake.

Anonymous (April 13, 2003)

i talked to roger at the queers show in orlando, he said that all they want to do is blow GC and NFG off the stage, which sounds about right.

Anonymous (April 13, 2003)

HAHAHAHA... they rhyme busy and dizzy in She's Gonna Break Soon. It seems like major label ska bands now have to include at least one shitty pop punk song on their albums... hopefully that's the only one cause I wanna still love LTJ.

Anonymous (April 13, 2003)

but its important to say that while NFG and GC are bland, their songs aren't 10 second unusually bad sound bites looped for 3 and a half minutes....

she's gonna break soon is one of the worst songs i have heard in a long time.

other bands can write poor songs, but this is REMARKABLY TERRIBLE. if someone hadn't ever heard ltj (if you can imagine that) and they heard this song, they would be totally confused as to why anyone ever liked them. ever.

Anonymous (April 12, 2003)

To the guy below me:
Remember, the Teen Idols are also on Fueled By Ramen, so to quote the Boondock Saints: "Our little theory from last night just got shot to shit."

Punchline is on Fueled by Ramen Records. Maybe that explains their place on this bill?

Anonymous (April 12, 2003)

I thought Hello Rockview was great. I think that's their best work. Borders was ok...I dunno, I still play it every now and then but it could've been much better. Losing Streak and Pezcore are good too. Hell, Blue And White was good too. This band really hasn't dissapointed me up until now...

She's Gonna Break is just fucking awful. Just a real badly written and poorly executed pop-punk song. WHERE THE FUCK ARE THE HORNS? Yeah, this song was for radio airplay and for the kids at the NFG/GC shows. That's for sure.

But, I'll hold judgement on the rest of the album though. But my faith is fading rather quickly.

she's gonna break soon she's gonna break soon she's gonna break...Less Than Jake is my favorite band of all time but this song is their worst song ever...The other songs from Anthem that they've played at shows kick ass..."plastic cup politics" and "short fuse burning" are awesome. I still can't wait for Anthem!! BigWig is badass too.

Anonymous (April 12, 2003)

i blame the soil....the queers are in it with the aliens....

-stu

Anonymous (April 12, 2003)

less than jake used to be one of my favorite bands. then hello rockview came out. not as good as losing streak/pezcore, but still pretty good. then borders. not very good. major disappointment. and now "she's gonna break soon" no comment on that one. i'll reserve my criticism after i hear the whole record but things are not looking up.

Anonymous (April 12, 2003)

How is it possible that a great band like Less Than Jake can write a song as truly horrible as "She's Gonna Break Soon?" Seriously, it is not like it's a bland and lame song. They could have just written another song about "leaving town." But instead, it actively sucks. I don't think that most sixth graders high on crystal meth could actually write a WORSE song while taking a shit in an ice cream cone. It is simply a terrible song with NOTHING going on. So, given how much I love LTJ, where does that leave me?

Secondly... How is it possible that a great band like Bigwig can rock so HARD? They are just too good live. They need to make a new album, though.

Anonymous (April 12, 2003)

i was at this show too, i thought bigwig kicked ass and so did less than jake... i didnt think punchline was that great, but i thought it was disrespectful and annoying how people were yelling things at them and stuff

Anonymous (April 12, 2003)

Seriously, LTJ is one of my favorite bands.. but shes gonna break is pretty bad.. I hope the album is better.

ryan
www.emoisdead.net

Anonymous (April 12, 2003)

"if any of you are going to warped tour i urge you ,as self -respecting punk rockers,to boo the hell outta avril lavinge. Throw bottles and shit ."

i guess someone still doesn't understand jokes.

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

if any of you are going to warped tour i urge you ,as self -respecting punk rockers,to boo the hell outta avril lavinge. Throw bottles and shit .

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

yeah bro bigwig plays totally great hardcore...not

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

I've seen Punchline when they played in Warminster, and they're not bad for what they are.

YOu have to give them credit. They've been out for a long ass time. Just because they're starting to get exposed now doesn't mean a week before they got together and said "Hey man, lets make a band!" You know? They've worked their asses off.

I was kind of disappointed when LTJ played here back in Aug. It was a rockin' good time, don't get me wrong, but it could have been better. I really didn't care that much about how great Chris's drink was.

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

I love Less Than Jake, but damnit, "She's Gonna Break" is fucking AWFUL.

My hopes for this album are quickly fading away after hearing that shit.

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

I enjoyed the show also, but I expected way more from LTJ.

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

I thought that this was a pretty damn good show and although LTJ didn't manage to blow me away, I'm not really sure what they could have done...Although the big fat white "gimp" guy was a surprise to say the least.
I had wanted to see Bigwig for a long time, and was really impressed by what I heard. As for the Teen Idols, Heather's pretty hot, but that's twice I've seen them and I think I get more disappointed each time. I just can't like them. More power to those of you who like them. Punchline's show was pretty good as well, and I was impressed that they didn't let the little 15 year old punker-than-thou fucks ruin their set. I'm sure they're used to it by now anyway.
As for why Punchline played over Bigwig and the Teen Idols, they were probably just switching up the order for a sake of variety amongst themselves. As for Toad Holler, I hate the venue, although found it nicely ironic that while it was a punk show, the walls were covered in redneck hick goodies like NASCAR hoods and boot-scootin'-boogie type shit everywhere.

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

One again. Why wasnt Bigwig playing 2nd last?

"Someone is sucking someone else's something here..."

Ive alway thought LTJ was a little on the ga...eh nevermind. Bigwig is a great band. I heard theyre opening for Sum 41 on the west coast . Good for them. Its their turn to get some credit, they deserve it.

Yeah, she isn't...Roger was just kidding about that. As for the whole Punchline thing, the lead singer did hint that it was the first show on the tour where they opened directly for Less Than Jake.

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

Punchline opened in Jax, there was tons of people there mainly to see Bigwig.

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

yea what the fuck? punchline over bigwig and Teen idols? that blows

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

this show was too expensive for my blood, and toad holler is the only place ive ever been padded down at.....at an mxpx show. cmon, yes, i brought a gun, but i wasnt gonna use it. Just a little yuri scare.
wyzo

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

lets just say there was some backstage action and it didn't involve heather.

On the warped tour site it says Avril Lavigne is not playing.. unlike most of the other "punks" I dont care if little 14 year kids go to the show, bands get more exposure that way and I remember being crazy about music at that age too

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

it is too bad ltj has to be openers for nfg and GC, hopefully i am not the only one that knows who they are there.

Anonymous (April 11, 2003)

Good review, just one difference of opinion...

First off, Less Than Jake is probably my favorite band ever. I've seen 'em a bunch of times and the continue to entertain and amaze me. A great bunch of guys, too. However, they do not "have" to go on tour with Good Charlotte and NFG. I was also not very pleased when I heard about this since the show in Cleveland is now sold out (and I probably wouldn't pay $30 to see LTJ's 30 minute set) and I thought, it sucks that they have to do that. Once I thought about it, though, I realized that they made that decision. They obviously could tour on their own successfully if they wanted to. So it's something they're doing and I'll respect it and check out their 30 minute set at Warped this year.